c300 large gulls on the roof of Maxilead Metals behind the refuse site on Arley Way around 3:30pm today.
Jeff Gorse said
Fri Mar 10 10:16 AM, 2023
Belated report from Weds - little egret patrolling the much-overgrown brook round the side of Atherton Cemetery
pete berry said
Sat Nov 12 1:52 PM, 2022
326 large gulls on the roof of Maxilead warehouse with at another 150 over the Viridor waste transfer centre,but unfortunately nothing rarer with them.
pete berry said
Mon Nov 7 1:04 PM, 2022
A 1st winter Caspian Gull on the roof of Maxilead Metals at Chanters Industrial Estate at 11.40 this morning before flying off to Viridors, at least 500 large gulls in the area around Viridor waste transfer centre with another 356 nearby in Tydesley in fields off Common Lane.
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jul 28 9:51 PM, 2022
Large numbers of large gulls have been around the refuse tip on Arley Way/Tyldesley area in recent days, often just wheeling as a mass high over the area. Today around mid-afternoon the birds were finally grounded, ably assisted by scaring on the Arley Way tip which forced them onto nearby building roofs.
On the roofs around the tip there were 287 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 86 Herring Gulls.
On the roof of B & M Bargains were 316 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 38 Herring Gulls.
With the 226 Lesser Black-backed/Herrings roosting in fields off Cumbermere Lane, Tyldesley too (see that thread) the total LBb/Herring Gull total for the local area was an impressive 953. Just a shame there was nothing more unusual/rarer amongst the birds I could get a good view of!!
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Jul 21 8:06 PM, 2022
c200 large gulls wheeling quite high above the tip at Arley Way this afternoon but refused to settle.
A further 37 Lesser Black-backed and c15 Herring Gulls were roosting on the roof of B & M (formerly Poundstretchers).
pete berry said
Mon Mar 7 12:09 PM, 2022
2 adult Mediterranean Gulls in full sum plum,on the floods at Beefold Lane this morning in with about 150 Black Headed Gulls.
The Siberian Chiffchaff still present in the tangled undergrowth adjacent to the football field off Beefold lane, calling occasionally from the brambles but not showing ,presumably due to the cold wind.
pete berry said
Thu Feb 17 1:46 PM, 2022
Beefold Lane floods 265 Herring Gulls 5 Great Black Backs (inc 2 1st w.birds) and 91 Lesser Black Back gulls, the most I have seen together this winter,presumably returning graellsi ,back from warmer climes further south. No sign of the Sibe Chiffchaff in a quick search in less than ideal weather.
pete berry said
Wed Feb 16 6:19 PM, 2022
A calling Siberian Chiffchaff today in the hedgerow on southern edge of the football field on Beefold Lane,bird also present yesterday.
pete berry said
Mon Jan 24 8:04 PM, 2022
Had an adult ringed Herring Gull on Saturday last at Chanters which was first ringed on The Calf of Man as a pullus in 2015,it was later seen in 2015 at Moore(almost certainly feeding on Arpley Tip) in late November of that year,and then later on nr. Warrington. This is the first sighting subsequently away from the Calf of Man. Red ring R38:M ,presumbly the M refers to Man.
-- Edited by pete berry on Monday 24th of January 2022 08:04:49 PM
dave broome said
Sun Jan 23 9:38 AM, 2022
A first-winter Herring Gull at Chanters yesterday had both mandibles overgrown and curved
At Beefold Lane floods 264 Herring Gulls inc at least 12 of the race argentatus 48 Great Black Backs and 2 Lesser Black Backs Around Chanters at least a further 400 large gulls.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Nov 24 3:11 PM, 2021
A minimum of 1100 large gulls, mainly Herring Gulls, around the Viridor waste site on Arley Way this mid afternoon, many resting on nearby roofs and undoubtably many more hidden out of the way.
pete berry said
Thu Sep 9 2:50 PM, 2021
Popped in to Chanters as I was passing,plenty of gulls but none of interest,however there was a Wheatear on the road in middle of the industrial estate!!
pete berry said
Mon Aug 16 2:57 PM, 2021
234 Lesser Black Back gulls and 28 Herring Gulls in the fields off Beefold Lane .
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Aug 11 3:23 PM, 2021
At least a couple of hundred large gulls around the Viridor site on Arley Way around midday, all Lesser Black-backed Gulls from what I could see but the vast majority of birds were unviewable until they flew but there was a large proportion of adults amongst them, unlike the gathering at Pennington Flash a little earlier.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jul 12 1:09 PM, 2021
Approximately 380 large gulls at the Viridor site at Arley Way around midday today, all Lesser Black-backed other than c40 Herrings.
In the fields and flood off Bee Fold Lane, 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 18 Black-headed Gulls and a juvenile Grey Heron.
dave broome said
Fri Jul 2 8:10 PM, 2021
Approximately 100 Lesser Black-Backed Gull and several Herring Gull late afternoon today on the roof of what was Poundstretcher - now B&M
dave broome said
Wed Mar 3 8:04 PM, 2021
Two adult Mediterranean Gulls around Atherton town centre this afternoon. One calling bird flew low along Mealhouse Lane past the church. Later two adults were low around Flapper Fold Lane, calling as though a pair, among a small group of Black-Headed Gulls
pete berry said
Fri Feb 19 3:38 PM, 2021
An adult Yellow Legged Gull in fields off Bee Fold Lane this afternoon with the gull flock,no sign of the Iceland Gull but I'm sure it was around somewhere .
pete berry said
Tue Feb 16 2:59 PM, 2021
The adult Iceland Gull again in fields off Bee Fold Lane this afternoon in with about 1000 gulls. There were 81 Lesser Black Backs (a massive increase,presume returning birds from Spain etc),also 9 Great Black Backs and 598 Herring Gulls,the rest of birds being Black Headed Gulls and a few Common Gull. There was also a probable Yellow Legged Gull which unfortunately was sat down all the time so it was impossible to see it's legs. Mantle colour looked spot on as did P10,it also had a prominent red eye ring.
Only about 20 Gulls on Bee Fold Lane floods this afternoon with no sign of any Iceland Gulls.
An hours mooch around the neighbouring fields produced very little apart from 4 Buzzard,
A flock of about 30 Jackdaw over, 1 male Bullfinch & 6 Long-Tailed Tits.
Mike Jepson said
Sat Feb 6 2:46 PM, 2021
Terrible day weather wise but brightened by the adult and Juvenile Iceland Gull at Bee Fold Lane fields. 12-00pm to 13-00pm. Adult was worth the wait very happy
The adult Iceland gull in fields off Bee Fold Lane at 1235
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 6th of February 2021 12:42:50 PM
Mike Jepson said
Sat Feb 6 12:28 PM, 2021
Juvenile Iceland gull at bee fold lane not sure of age sorry cant see the adult
Mike Jepson said
Fri Feb 5 8:08 PM, 2021
Typical Pete been working from home all week had to go in today and it turns up. Not sure i will get chance know back work after Monday and seems very quiet Gull wise at weekend with tip closed. Will keep trying though. Did nip down at 15-30 nothing on Common Lane and left as i arrived from Bee Fold lane but only about 10 present.
pete berry said
Fri Feb 5 1:58 PM, 2021
The adult Iceland Gull flew into Beefold lane fields at 1.35pm . It was with 280 large gulls and several hundred Black Headed Gulls. Good luck Mike, keep persevering, I'm sure you'll catch up with it soon.
Hi Pete thanks for advice been doing that as well with no luck up to yet nothing on Common Lane yesterday afternoon and as i got to Bee fold Lane were just leaving. I will keep trying its out there somewhere. To be honest enjoying getting into the Gulls its very challenging for a newbie
pete berry said
Fri Feb 5 11:03 AM, 2021
I've only seen the Iceland Gull on Poundstretcher roof once this winter,it'd be more productive if you want to see it to check either the fields at Bee Fold Lane or Common Lane,lunchtime/ early afternoon where the gulls tend to gather after feeding.
Mike Jepson said
Fri Feb 5 9:45 AM, 2021
Pounstrechers this morning about 300 gulls but no Adult Iceland the quest goes on. All the big Gulls seem to leave around 8-20am I am guessing this is when the fist truck arrives at the tip.
Mike Jepson said
Wed Feb 3 9:35 PM, 2021
Nipped to Poundstrechers this morning 8-15am to 8-45am couple of hundred mixed Gulls on the roof but no adult Iceland Gull. Did see this ringed Herring Gull Y:A85 i believe this was ringed in YorkIceland Gull. Did see this ringed Herring Gull Y:A85 i believe this was ringed in York
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 3rd of February 2021 10:14:14 PM
Just had a walk around Bee Fold Lane fields only a couple of hundred gulls could not pick out Iceland Gull and then a quad bike arrived
pete berry said
Fri Jan 29 12:42 PM, 2021
The adult Iceland Gull is in fields off Bee Fold Lane this afternoon, in with about 700 large gulls. It was asleep and not eady to pick out amongst all the gulls.
No probs at all Mike. Just to clarify the white tail you refer to I think you mean the white wing primaries projecting beyond the tail, you can see where the tail stops underneath.
You might find this useful for future reference... - Iceland Gulls - bill length is shorter than the primary projection. - Glaucous Gulls - bill length equal to or longer than primary projection.
This was a good learning experience for myself and Simon Gough a few years ago at Richmond Bank, Warrington (see thread) when we thought we had our 1st Glaucous Gull but it was correctly pointed out that wed crucially missed this feature and it was infact an Iceland Gull. Hope this helps mate.
Mike Jepson said
Thu Jan 28 11:47 AM, 2021
Thanks for comments Rob i had no idea to e honest just went of white tail. Was pleased to find it though i am normally not lucky or confident enough
Rob Creek said
Tue Jan 26 2:35 PM, 2021
Great spot Mike. Im by no means 100% myself but I feel it could be a 2nd winter bird (3CY). The eye looks to have a browny yellow appearance, paler than the much blacker eye of a younger bird, and what appears to be a hint of grey on the side of the mantle. Hard to tell for sure and it could be dirt on the feathers, given that most of the Gulls in Atherton are at the Viridor refuse site at some point in the day. I may be wrong, its only my opinion, so it could well be me who is to be soon corrected.
Mike Jepson said
Mon Jan 25 6:42 PM, 2021
Went looking for the Adult Iceland Gull on Bee Fold floods at about 14-30pm as i got there a Common Buzzard put them all up and they flew out of site. Went to have a look at the Vindor site and there must have been 1000 gulls flying around here. Quite a few settled on a roof opposite and found what i think is a 1st Winter Iceland Gull among them. I am no expert so am open to being corrected.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 25th of January 2021 07:28:20 PM
The adult Iceland Gull again on Poundstretcher roof this afternoon with 200+ large gulls.
Lez Fairclough said
Fri Jan 22 8:03 PM, 2021
Mid to late afternoon - Bee Fold Lane floods area.
Iceland Gull amongst approx. 300 other gulls on Bee Fold floods - took me a good 20 mins to find as they were closely packed together & hunkering down in the bitter wind & sleet.
Also seen :- Goldfinch, Linnet, Song Thrush, Jackdaw, Bullfinch, Coal Tit & Collared Dove.
2 Grey Heron were also seen, one in the middle of a farmers field & the other on a fence overlooking Bee Fold Fisheries.
Popped over to Bee Fold Lane floods during the break in the rain,and was rewarded with great views of the adult Iceland Gull. Over 90 Greater Black Backed Gulls and about 500 large gulls mainly Herrings in the flock.
Just passing Poundstretcher on the way to Tescos to fill car when I noticed about a dozen gulls on the roof. A quick check with my bins turned up the adult Iceland Gull.
Spent a couple of hours this morning with Dave Broome looking at the gulls around the area,probably 800 large gulls in the area,sat on the roofs of the industrial units. Nothing of interest apart from a possible adult Caspian Gull which unfortunately flew off before we could see all the defining features. I'd been home about an hour when Dave called to say he'd just found the adult Iceland Gull, so I shot back up there but it had just flown into the Viridor yard out of sight. Dave had just found an adult Yellow Legged Gull which was showing well on the roof of one if the buildings. Pic attached of the Yellow Legged Gull.
Several hundred large gulls on the roofs around Chanters ind estate this afternoon including a cracking adult Caspian Gull in full breeding plumage. Also a yellow ringed adult Herring Gull from the Aberdeenshire ringing project.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Dec 11 1:58 PM, 2020
94 Herring Gulls and a handfull of Black-headed Gulls on Poundstretchers roof this afternoon.
At the Viridor Recycling on Arley Way, a shot from the yard to scare the birds put up at least 600 large gulls (vast majority Herring Gulls) from within the yard and surrounding buildings.
Perching on high voltage power lines on nearby pylons at the recycling yard were 148 Black-headed Gulls!
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Dec 8 2:49 PM, 2020
A minimum of 450 Herring Gulls in and around the Viridor recycling yard on Arley Way this afternoon (immediately after visiting Common Lane, Tyldesley so they were all different birds from there) but probably over 500 with the fewer number of other larger gull species too and given the number of hidden gulls on nearby rooftops and not in the air, likely well over that figure. Typically though, just too difficult to study well or long enough to pick anything rarer out.
c300 large gulls on the roof of Maxilead Metals behind the refuse site on Arley Way around 3:30pm today.
Belated report from Weds - little egret patrolling the much-overgrown brook round the side of Atherton Cemetery
Large numbers of large gulls have been around the refuse tip on Arley Way/Tyldesley area in recent days, often just wheeling as a mass high over the area. Today around mid-afternoon the birds were finally grounded, ably assisted by scaring on the Arley Way tip which forced them onto nearby building roofs.
On the roofs around the tip there were 287 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 86 Herring Gulls.
On the roof of B & M Bargains were 316 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 38 Herring Gulls.
With the 226 Lesser Black-backed/Herrings roosting in fields off Cumbermere Lane, Tyldesley too (see that thread) the total LBb/Herring Gull total for the local area was an impressive 953. Just a shame there was nothing more unusual/rarer amongst the birds I could get a good view of!!
c200 large gulls wheeling quite high above the tip at Arley Way this afternoon but refused to settle.
A further 37 Lesser Black-backed and c15 Herring Gulls were roosting on the roof of B & M (formerly Poundstretchers).
The Siberian Chiffchaff still present in the tangled undergrowth adjacent to the football field off Beefold lane, calling occasionally from the brambles but not showing ,presumably due to the cold wind.
265 Herring Gulls
5 Great Black Backs (inc 2 1st w.birds)
and 91 Lesser Black Back gulls, the most I have seen together this winter,presumably returning graellsi ,back from warmer climes further south.
No sign of the Sibe Chiffchaff in a quick search in less than ideal weather.
-- Edited by pete berry on Monday 24th of January 2022 08:04:49 PM
264 Herring Gulls inc at least 12 of the race argentatus
48 Great Black Backs and
2 Lesser Black Backs
Around Chanters at least a further 400 large gulls.
A minimum of 1100 large gulls, mainly Herring Gulls, around the Viridor waste site on Arley Way this mid afternoon, many resting on nearby roofs and undoubtably many more hidden out of the way.
At least a couple of hundred large gulls around the Viridor site on Arley Way around midday, all Lesser Black-backed Gulls from what I could see but the vast majority of birds were unviewable until they flew but there was a large proportion of adults amongst them, unlike the gathering at Pennington Flash a little earlier.
Approximately 380 large gulls at the Viridor site at Arley Way around midday today, all Lesser Black-backed other than c40 Herrings.
In the fields and flood off Bee Fold Lane, 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 18 Black-headed Gulls and a juvenile Grey Heron.
There were 81 Lesser Black Backs (a massive increase,presume returning birds from Spain etc),also 9 Great Black Backs and 598 Herring Gulls,the rest of birds being Black Headed Gulls and a few Common Gull.
There was also a probable Yellow Legged Gull which unfortunately was sat down all the time so it was impossible to see it's legs. Mantle colour looked spot on as did P10,it also had a prominent red eye ring.
Only about 20 Gulls on Bee Fold Lane floods this afternoon with no sign of any Iceland Gulls.
An hours mooch around the neighbouring fields produced very little apart from 4 Buzzard,
A flock of about 30 Jackdaw over, 1 male Bullfinch & 6 Long-Tailed Tits.
Terrible day weather wise but brightened by the adult and Juvenile Iceland Gull at Bee Fold Lane fields. 12-00pm to 13-00pm. Adult was worth the wait very happy
The adult Iceland gull in fields off Bee Fold Lane at 1235
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 6th of February 2021 12:42:50 PM
Typical Pete been working from home all week had to go in today and it turns up. Not sure i will get chance know back work after Monday and seems very quiet Gull wise at weekend with tip closed. Will keep trying though. Did nip down at 15-30 nothing on Common Lane and left as i arrived from Bee Fold lane but only about 10 present.
Good luck Mike, keep persevering, I'm sure you'll catch up with it soon.
Hi Pete thanks for advice been doing that as well with no luck up to yet nothing on Common Lane yesterday afternoon and as i got to Bee fold Lane were just leaving. I will keep trying its out there somewhere. To be honest enjoying getting into the Gulls its very challenging for a newbie
Pounstrechers this morning about 300 gulls but no Adult Iceland the quest goes on. All the big Gulls seem to leave around 8-20am I am guessing this is when the fist truck arrives at the tip.
Nipped to Poundstrechers this morning 8-15am to 8-45am couple of hundred mixed Gulls on the roof but no adult Iceland Gull. Did see this ringed Herring Gull Y:A85 i believe this was ringed in YorkIceland Gull. Did see this ringed Herring Gull Y:A85 i believe this was ringed in York
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 3rd of February 2021 10:14:14 PM
Just had a walk around Bee Fold Lane fields only a couple of hundred gulls could not pick out Iceland Gull and then a quad bike arrived
Just to clarify the white tail you refer to I think you mean the white wing primaries projecting beyond the tail, you can see where the tail stops underneath.
You might find this useful for future reference...
- Iceland Gulls - bill length is shorter than the primary projection.
- Glaucous Gulls - bill length equal to or longer than primary projection.
This was a good learning experience for myself and Simon Gough a few years ago at Richmond Bank, Warrington (see thread) when we thought we had our 1st Glaucous Gull but it was correctly pointed out that wed crucially missed this feature and it was infact an Iceland Gull.
Hope this helps mate.
Thanks for comments Rob i had no idea to e honest just went of white tail. Was pleased to find it though i am normally not lucky or confident enough
Im by no means 100% myself but I feel it could be a 2nd winter bird (3CY).
The eye looks to have a browny yellow appearance, paler than the much blacker eye of a younger bird, and what appears to be a hint of grey on the side of the mantle. Hard to tell for sure and it could be dirt on the feathers, given that most of the Gulls in Atherton are at the Viridor refuse site at some point in the day.
I may be wrong, its only my opinion, so it could well be me who is to be soon corrected.
Went looking for the Adult Iceland Gull on Bee Fold floods at about 14-30pm as i got there a Common Buzzard put them all up and they flew out of site. Went to have a look at the Vindor site and there must have been 1000 gulls flying around here. Quite a few settled on a roof opposite and found what i think is a 1st Winter Iceland Gull among them. I am no expert so am open to being corrected.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 25th of January 2021 07:28:20 PM
Mid to late afternoon - Bee Fold Lane floods area.
Iceland Gull amongst approx. 300 other gulls on Bee Fold floods - took me a good 20 mins to find as they were closely packed together & hunkering down in the bitter wind & sleet.
Also seen :- Goldfinch, Linnet, Song Thrush, Jackdaw, Bullfinch, Coal Tit & Collared Dove.
2 Grey Heron were also seen, one in the middle of a farmers field & the other on a fence overlooking Bee Fold Fisheries.
I'd been home about an hour when Dave called to say he'd just found the adult Iceland Gull, so I shot back up there but it had just flown into the Viridor yard out of sight. Dave had just found an adult Yellow Legged Gull which was showing well on the roof of one if the buildings. Pic attached of the Yellow Legged Gull.
94 Herring Gulls and a handfull of Black-headed Gulls on Poundstretchers roof this afternoon.
At the Viridor Recycling on Arley Way, a shot from the yard to scare the birds put up at least 600 large gulls (vast majority Herring Gulls) from within the yard and surrounding buildings.
Perching on high voltage power lines on nearby pylons at the recycling yard were 148 Black-headed Gulls!
A minimum of 450 Herring Gulls in and around the Viridor recycling yard on Arley Way this afternoon (immediately after visiting Common Lane, Tyldesley so they were all different birds from there) but probably over 500 with the fewer number of other larger gull species too and given the number of hidden gulls on nearby rooftops and not in the air, likely well over that figure. Typically though, just too difficult to study well or long enough to pick anything rarer out.